By Chris Girandola
ST. PETERSBURG– These are my hurry-up offense observations and whatnot from the Jesuit 33-19 win over Lakewood in St. Petersburgon Friday:
- Jesuit is a no-nonsense, nothing-flashy team built on efficiency and proficiency. The balanced attack on offense shows up in the stats – 137 rushing yards, 144 passing yards – and Tommy Eveld does an adequate job at quarterback making sure positive things happen.
Jesuit's Offense is balanced and ready for a deep run through the 5A Playoffs.
- Eveld is underrated as a quarterback and became a difference-maker in the second half, particularly on a 12-play, 74-yard drive that took nearly eight minutes off the clock and resulted in a two-yard rushing touchdown by Kevin Newman. During the series, Eveld converted four third-down situations with two passes and two runs.
- Jesuit receiver Travis Johnson is smooth. The debate is still on for whether he’s smoother making receptions or in his post-game interviews, but either way, the guy is ready for prime time. His six catches for 138 yards were mostly highlight-reel plays, including the 20-yard touchdown in the first half and his two long grabs on third-down situations in the second half.
- Lakewood receiver Rodney Adams took top honors, though, with his seven receptions for 185 yards and two touchdowns. Still trying to decide which score was more impressive, the second quarter one in which he brought down a four-yard pass from Tracy Johnson in the corner of the end zone with a Jesuit defender draped over him or the 82-yard fly route in the fourth quarter in which he outraced everyone.
- Um, Dante Fowler, hellllooooo. Where are you? Calling Mr. Fowler. The coaching staffs from Clemson, Florida, Florida State, LSU and USC (the five schools he said he will officially visit soon) are wondering where you were on Friday. The senior five-star defensive end came up empty as the Jesuit offensive line kept Eveld relatively clean the whole night.
Dante Fowler's cramping started to become an issue in the 2nd Half.
- Ultimately, the poise of Jesuit and the lack of composure of Lakewood was the deciding factor in this game as the Tigers faced the challenge of the Spartans’ athleticism and home crowd and the Spartans were their own worst enemy. In the fourth quarter, particularly, the Spartans bailed out the Tigers with Jesuit facing a third-and-long when Fowler jumped offsides and then pushed Eveld to the ground. The two penalties gave the Tigers a first down and then theLakewoodcoaching staff went ballistic, resulting in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty. Without the play going live, the ball went from the Jesuit 32-yard line to theLakewood28-yard line. A few plays later, William Lucas scored on a 7-yard run to increase Jesuit’s lead from seven points to the 33-19 final tally.
- Recruiting updates: Adams has an official offer fromSan Diego State and has heavy interest from Florida, Florida State and Indiana. He said he also received a letter from Miami a couple days ago. Adams said he would like to stay in the state of Florida. He said he has eliminated USF from his list because they have stopped showing interest in him. Johnson said he will not begin making visits until the season is complete.